Weekly Wrap Up: 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ hatch & 2023 Perodua Axia E MT launched, 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL43 coming soon

The past week was a pretty busy one for both the national and international auto industry. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched two cars in the local market, namely the 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ hatch. The automaker also previewed the 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL43. Accompanying the German maker is Ducati with the launch of the Ducati DesertX RR22 Livery. The international auto market saw the unveiling of the Mazda CX-60, the Mazda 2 facelift, and the all-new Yaris Cross.

Get to know all about it in detail below -

Local auto news

Audi e-tron range launched in Malaysia

PHS Automotive Malaysia, the official distributor of Audi cars in Malaysia has finally launched the all-new Audi e-tron range.  The e-tron lineup includes a total of seven electric cars, of which four are Q8 e-tron models and three are e-tron GT models. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class launched in Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has pulled the wraps off the all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The upgraded sedan is offered in two variants - A 200 Progressive Line and A 250 4Matic AMG Line, priced at RM 238,888 and RM 264,000, respectively. The models are locally assembled at the brand’s Pekan facility. The A200 is powered by a 163PS/270 Nm 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the A250 trim, on the other hand, gets a 224PS/350 Nm 1.9-liter turbocharged four-cylinder along with a 48V mild hybrid system.

2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ hatch launched in Malaysia

The all-new 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S has also made its way to the local market and is offered as a fully imported from Germany. The hatch retails for RM 509,888 and is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine as earlier, which churns out a maximum power of 421 hp and a peak torque of 500 Nm. Also, part of the kit is a special edition model called the Street Style Edition that is also being offered for a limited run that can be grabbed by paying an additional amount of RM 30,000.

2023 Mercedes-AMG SL43 coming to Malaysia

At the launch event of the new A-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia showcased the seventh-generation Mercedes-AMG SL43. The latest version of the iconic roadster looks more premium, sportier, and of course, more attractive than ever before. Estimated priced at RM 1 million, the new Mercedes-AMG SL43 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a maximum power of 381 PS and a peak torque of 480 Nm. It is paired with a belt-driven starter generator offering a short-term boost of 14 PS.

2023 Perodua Axia E MT launched in Malaysia

Perodua Malaysia has finally introduced the all-new Axia E MT which is affordably priced at RM 22,000. The new Axia trim is introduced specifically for driving schools and manual purists. It appears almost the same as its predecessor with the most basic features combined with a fuel-efficient engine and the conventional floor-mounted stick shift. Powering it is a 1.0-liter naturally-aspirated 3-cylinder VVT-i unit that kicks out a maximum power of 68 hp and a peak torque of 91 Nm. Perodua aims to sell a total of 1,5000 units of the Axia E MT monthly.

KTM ROAD TO RIMBA RAID ASIA QUALIFIERS 2023

The highly anticipated RIMBA RAID 2023 racing event will take place from 31 August to 3 September 2023 in Pahang, Malaysia. And will see over 300 riders from across the world competing in various categories. And KTM is finding talented riders to participate in the event on its behalf. The qualifier event by the motorcycle brand will be held at Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang, Johor on Sunday, 25 June 2023.

Ducati DesertX RR22 Livery in Malaysia

Ducati Malaysia has multiplied the fun with the introduction of a new RR22 livery for DesertX. Inspired by the Audi RS Q e-tron, the livery is crafted by Ducati’s Style Center designers. The new Ducati livery includes a captivating black, gray, and red color scheme which pays homage to the RS Q e-tron’s advanced technology along with a striking red accent integrated into the black saddle. Priced at RM115,900, the DesertX RR22 Livery is the perfect combination of style and performance and promises an exhilarating ride all along, be it navigating through rough trails or on long-distance journeys.

Triumph opens three new showrooms in Malaysia

Triumph Malaysia has opened not one, not two, but three new state-of-the-art motorcycle stores in the country. Strategically located at Batu Caves, Petaling Jaya, and Penang, the new Triumph stores will enhance the brand visibility and offer enthusiasts convenient access to their favorite Triumph bikes. The new stores promise state-of-the-art facilities with the highest level of Service, After Sales, and Customer Care. The stores are managed by highly trained personnel.

Triumph Street Triple 765 range launched in Malaysia

Triumph Malaysia recently launched the new Street Triple 765 motorcycle range on the local shores. The range includes - the 2023 Triumph Street Triple 765 R (RM 59,900) and the 2023 Triumph Street Triple 765 RS (RM 73,900). While the R trim is powered by a 120PS/80Nm 765-cc DOHC inline three-cylinder engine, the RS trim gets the same powertrain but turned to produce 130 PS and 80 Nm.

International auto news

Volkswagen to discontinue Arteon sedan

After removing Passat from the lineup a while ago. The automaker has confirmed the end of roads for the Arteon as it is set to revise the overall product strategy by phasing out the low-selling models. The news doesn't come as a surprise as its sales dropped by 69% in the US last year. The production of the car is expected to end by 2024. Alongside dropping the Arteon, Volkswagen is also set to redefine its lineup with the ID.7 electric sedan.

Mazda 2 facelift to debut on June 21

Mazda Thailand has confirmed the arrival of this recently facelifted Mazda 2 model on 21st June 2023. The 2023 Mazda 2 facelift will be offered in three trim options, namely BD, Sunlit Citrus, and Sport. It will be offered in two engine options as before, including - a 1.3-liter Skyactiv-G petrol and the 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G diesel unit; both paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

All-new  Toyota Yaris Cross introduced in Indonesia

The all-new Toyota Yaris Cross has finally made its way into the Indonesian market. Offered in three variant options, namely - the G Type, S Type, and the S HEV Type. They are priced as follows - IDR 351 million (RM 109k), IDR 407.7 million (RM 126.7k), and IDR 440.6 million (RM 136.9k) respectively. Powering the G Type & S Type variant is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol mill generating a maximum power of 106 PS along with a peak torque of 138 Nm. The S HV Type, on the other hand, gets a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 91 PS and 121 Nm of torque along with an 80 PS/141 Nm electric motor.

Mazda CX-60 launched in the Philippines

After its global introduction last year in March, the Mazda CX-60 has now made its way to the Southeast Asia market, with the Philippines being the first country in the region to welcome the SUV. The CX-60 is a full-size, five-seater SUV that falls under the brand’s Large Product group, which also includes the CX-80, CX-70, and CX-90. It is offered in two variants - 3.3L AWD Turbo and 3.3L AWD Turbo-D Sport, priced at PHP 2.79 million (RM 230k) and PHP 2.89 million (RM 238k), respectively. Part of the powertrain setup is - a 3.3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline and a 3.3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel.

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